The Two Most Important Elements of Product Photography

Product photography is a gold mine for up-and-coming photographers. Businesses and brands need to showcase their products in the best way possible to visually appeal to their target audiences, and will usually opt to put a photographer to the task. Lighting and background are the most important aspects of product photography. Read on for a few tips and tricks to make these two key elements work for your shots.

Lighting

You can make your own reflectors using items you probably have laying around, such as aluminum foil, or shiny wrapping paper you have left over from the holidays. Wrap the foil or paper around a piece of cardboard and clamp it in place with butterfly clips so that it can be easily positioned to bounce and reflect light. This can even be done using multiple reflectors and just one light source.

Use the gradient reflections on the product to give it a more multidimensional feel. Start by pointing your light where you want the reflection on the product to appear. Try putting a diffuser between the subject and the light source.

Background

You’ll want to choose a background that complements the subject and pulls everything together cohesively. Using a neutral background in either white/light or grey is good if you want a stark contrast between the subject and the background. Be sure to take plenty of photos to achieve the correct balance. An underexposed photo will have your background looking dull, while overexposing will make it too harsh.

The use of props and/or live models is a good way to make your product relatable to consumers. No matter what background you choose, it’s all about composition.

It may take some time to get the look and feel you want out of your product photos, but putting the time and effort into the process is worth it for your clients and your portfolio. Don’t forget to show off your best work on Your Art Gallery!